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Aerospace & Defence

Industry Profile

Aerospace & Defence

Alberta’s competitive aerospace and defence sector is an important economic driver for the province.

The province’s aerospace and defence sector is recognized for being competitive and innovative, and delivering cutting-edge products and services. The sector is comprised of three main sub-industries that support:

Key Strengths

Foremost, Alberta is home to one of only two Transport Canada approved remotely piloted aircraft systems (also known as unmanned aerial systems) test ranges.

Defence Research and Development Canada Suffield is a leader in defence science and technology and develops and delivers new technical solutions and advice to Defence departments and commercial companies.

Alberta’s expertise in aerospace-based geomatics is unmatched in Canada.

Alberta has excellent flying weather, abundant land and wide open spaces, making Alberta an excellent place for light training.

The Alberta Aerospace and Technology Center focuses on innovative technology research and commercialization of remotely piloted aircraft systems, AI, flight simulators and other innovative technologies

Areas of expertise

Remotely piloted aircraft systems

Alberta is an emerging Canadian leader in this sector with expertise in areas such as, robotics, systems integration, wireless communications, remote sensing, avionics navigation and global positioning systems. Foremost, Alberta is home to Canada’s only beyond-line of sight, restricted airspace, making it a desirable place for companies to test remotely piloted aircraft systems technology.

Alberta companies provide maintenance, repair, overhaul and modification of military and commercial aircraft. This high-tech sub-sector produces various components such as aircraft parts and engines.

Helicopter industry

Alberta’s sub-sector specializes in flight training, maintenance, repair and operations, charters, and service provision to the Energy, Forestry, Environmental and wildlife sectors.

Air cargo logistics

Alberta has two Foreign Trade Zones, a well-developed freight and e-commerce distribution network and expanding warehousing and distribution facilities. This network includes two International Airports with significant full freight aircraft cargo handling, consolidation and freight forwarding capabilities.

Defence electronics

Alberta companies are making and maintaining the Canadian Forces' communications systems, software, specialized sensors, and other electronic components.

Aerospace-based geomatics and scientific research

Alberta’s expertise in the areas of space physics, instrumentation, imaging and materials is unmatched in Canada.

Four of Canada's most important military bases are located in Alberta. These bases include military ranges where aerospace testing can be done.

Corporate Aviation

Alberta is home to 420 of Canada's 1,900 registered business aviation aircraft. Business aviation is a major contributor to Alberta's economy. Headquartered in Calgary, WestJet airlines has scheduled service to 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe.

Research and Development

Many Alberta companies, military agencies and educational institutions are working in various forms of remotely piloted aircraft systems research and development, testing, and manufacturing.

Alberta Innovates is a provincially funded Corporation tasked with delivering on the research and innovation priorities of the Government of Alberta.

Applied Research and Innovation Services at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. The Centre for Innovation and Research into Unmanned Systems is the newest research group within ARIS and is devoted to all things unmanned, and with a specific focus on unmanned aerial vehicles.

The Alberta Aerospace Technology Centre is the result of a partnership between Edmonton International Airport (EIA), Canadian North, Canadian Helicopters, Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) and the Government of Alberta to build a cluster of activity in aerospace and technology at EIA. Current projects include flight simulators (Helicopters and Boeing 737 Level D), Robirds to control bird strike, and remote operated vehicles and systems for air, land and water.

The Centre for Sensors and System Integration at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) focuses on prototyping devices that address sensor-based challenges in advanced technology, resource extraction, agriculture and biomedical enterprises. Working through both established sensor devices and new or innovative devices, CSSI uses engineering technologies to produce and evaluate prototypes for field trials.

Several of Alberta's key post-secondary institutions are also involved in supporting research and development in the aerospace and defence industry:

Medicine Hat College offers emerging capacity in unmanned aerial systems and is interested in supporting organizations using the foremost range.

C-FER Technologies works with oil and gas industry and client subject matter experts to develop solutions to unique engineering problems in upstream drilling and production operations as well as midstream and downstream pipeline operations.

Defence Research and Development Canada Suffield research centre is internationally recognized for its R&D in chemical and biological defence.

National Institute for Nanotechnology - http://www.nint-innt.ca/

NINT established a unique nanotechnology collaboration hub in a $52.2 million, 20,000m2 purpose-built facility on UAlberta campus in Edmonton that has supported industry while attracting and developing world-class talent.